A fast-casual Watertown restaurant known for its Thai-style chicken and rice is getting ready to spread its wings, with a second location set to land in Somerville soon.
What Da Chick is taking over the former Louie’s Ice Cream space at 193 Broadway, the team shared with What Now Boston. The expansion will bring the restaurant’s signature chicken dishes, flavorful rice, and housemade sauces to a new neighborhood as the team works toward its larger vision for the brand.
“Since opening our first What Da Chick location in Watertown, we’ve been so grateful for the love and support from our customers,” ownership shared. “Seeing people enjoy our food and come back for more gave us the confidence to take the next step.”
At the heart of What Da Chick’s menu is Khao Man Gai, a beloved Thai comfort dish featuring chicken and rice. The team said they wanted to introduce the dish to a wider audience while preserving the authentic flavors that made it a staple of their own upbringing.
“Chicken and rice might sound simple, but in Thai cuisine, it’s all about the little details, from how we prepare the chicken and cook the rice to the sauces that bring everything together,” an owner said. “We want to show people that something as simple as chicken and rice can be incredibly special.”
That attention to detail shines through in the sauces, which add distinct layers of flavor to the restaurant’s simple yet carefully prepared chicken and rice. Options include the signature ginger-based What Da Chick sauce, sweet chili, and tamarind. The eatery’s name is just as distinctive, chosen for its playful, unexpected feel and its ability to spark curiosity and make people smile.
The Somerville menu will retain the restaurant’s signature chicken options, including poached, crispy, and roasted chicken, while introducing a few additions that have yet to be announced. The team is keeping those surprises under wraps for now, but the focus will remain on the combination of quality ingredients, authentic Thai flavors, and a casual, approachable dining experience.
The new location will also have a different setup from its Watertown counterpart. Spread across three floors, the Broadway space will have a relatively intimate dining area with approximately 10 seats. Behind the scenes, the team plans to make the most of the space with a more efficient kitchen operation that can accommodate takeout, delivery, and potentially catering.
Though the seating area will be small, ownership sees plenty of room for What Da Chick to grow beyond its original location. “We want What Da Chick to become a recognizable Thai fast-casual brand, something people immediately think of when they’re craving delicious chicken and rice,” they said. “The second location is another step toward that vision.”
What Da Chick is part of a growing portfolio of restaurant concepts and businesses from the team, which recently announced EN’YA Robatayaki & Sake Bar, an upcoming Japanese restaurant in Cambridge. With the Somerville expansion, the owners are continuing to build their presence across Greater Boston while introducing diners to a wider range of flavors and dining experiences.
“We’re incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported What Da Chick so far,” the team said. “As Thai restaurant owners, it’s exciting to see more people discovering and falling in love with Thai food beyond the dishes they may already know. We want What Da Chick to be more than just a place to grab a meal. We want it to be a brand that brings people together through good food, good energy, and a little bit of fun. And to everyone waiting for WDC2, stay tuned. We’re just getting started!”
An official opening date for What Da Chick’s Somerville location has not yet been announced. The team is working through the planning and preparation stages and hopes to open as soon as the space is ready, with updates to be shared on the restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
